We've been quite pleased with our Breadman. I can't remember the model - it does 2 lb loaves vertically. We've had it for 6 years, and it's still going strong.

I have a Westbend that has gotten a LOT of use over the years and still works great, and I know it's at least ten years old. There's one on ebay that's kind of like mine, with the horizontal loaf pan, but that one is probably a newer model.

Good luck, I know I'd be lost without mine too!

I have an old Breadman (given to me by an aunt who never used it). This model - http://tinyurl.com/lcyjz2 - the link is to an ebay auction, $25. It's not fancy, but it has faithfully performed it's job 2-3 times a month for the last 4 years.

I also have had a Breadman for at least 3 years and it makes 3 loaves a week, faithfully, with no problems. Buy it, use it, you'll never regret it.

I have a westBend my grandmother gave me. It does 2lbs vertically. I've had it a couple of years and use it regulary. I know grandma got for about $35 from a WalMart/Target type store.

I have the second one and use it every week. It's been going strong for well over a year and does an excellent job!

We love our Breadman too. I have the same model or maybe one slightly older than the one you linked to. It works really well.

I have the zojirushi and I love it! I can even make mochi from glutinous rice in it.

i love my small zojirushi! It's reasonably compact (very small Manhattan kitchen) and always turns out a perfect loaf.

I use my kitchen-aid with a dough hook. A loaf pan in the oven takes care of the baking portion.

I have a Cuisinart model, which runs in the $130 range...but it's WONDERFUL. http://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-CBK-200-2-Pound-Convection-Automatic/dp/B0009VELTQ

I make pizza dough twice a week, and challah...and even jam...and just love it. It's got a delay start, too, so I can put ingredients in before I leave for work, and have a hot loaf of bread when I get home. Whoa, right? It has a permanent spot on the counter.
http://sustainablediet.blogspot.com/2008/12/full-moon-rising.html

That said, my mom has found working bread machines at the thrift store for under $3 as well! So you might just try your hand at finding another used model, since you had such a positive experience. :) Happy bread baking!

My husband and I found a great machine at a garage sale too--it seemed to have hardly been used! Unfortunately, ours only lasted about 6 months, and we decided to splurge on a Cuisinart bread machine, which we've been very happy with.

I have a little Sunbeam breadmaker and it is a workhorse and looks sort-of nice-ish too.
http://www.sunbeam.com/ca/productdetail.aspx?section=kitchen&cid=3&pid=5256

agree with verily -- get a standing mixer and let it do the work. you can make cookies, cakes, quick breads, and all sorts of other sinful delights with it.

oh, and it's also much cooler looking in the kitchen than a bread machine:) pete, my mixer, always gets ooh'd and ahh'd.

I've had an Oster ever since college and it's still going strong (college was 1998)...and for the record, if you paid $3 and got 2 months of bread, then you really have gotten your money's worth!

I will second the recommendation of an Oster. I paid about $80 for mine about 10 years ago and it's still going strong. I use it about once a week so it has seen pretty heavy usage. I don't know what they cost these days, but the value is excellent when you consider longevity.

I can understand the appeal of handmade bread, but, honestly, because of the heating up the kitchen aspects of baking in the oven and the messing around greasing pans, proofing, etc., I'd stick with the bread machine. The more trouble you make bread making, the less likely you'll do it and just go pick up a loaf at a store.

try craigslist- so many people don't use theirs and so get rid of them cheap practically new

Panasonic SD-YD250 FTW! Well worth the money.

@bedtime for gonzo - Love that your mixer is named Pete. If I had space to keep mine on a counter, I think I'd name it Karen.

I'm actually in the process of answering that very question! I hosted a breadmaker bakeoff at my home this weekend and tested 3 different recipes in 2 different breadmakers (a Breadman and a Zojirushi) and had 8 adults do a blind taste testing. The first part was published today (http://www.lafujimama.com/2009/07/breadmaker-bakeoff-part-i.html) and the more in-depth analysis about pros and cons will be published tomorrow!

I've had an Oster ever since college and it's still going strong (college was 1998)...and for the record, if you paid $3 and got 2 months of bread, then you really have gotten your money's worth!

You can try Cuisinart CBK 200 too.
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